FOOTBALL: Late-Game Drive Sends GHS Past Rockets

For all of Friday night's slugfest, Gatesville and Robinson traded possessions and the scoring lead. When it came down to it, GHS got last word and did so with an impressive 97-yard scoring drive in the final two minutes of a wild 35-28 win over the Rockets. The victory, along with a couple of other upsets (La Vega 33-28 over Burnet, Lampasas 34-20 over China Spring) the same night, leaves the District 13-4A race wide open heading into the final week of the regular season. La Vega and Burnet now share the league lead at 3-1, Gatesville and Robinson are 2-2, Lampasas and China Spring 1-3. All six teams have a legitimate playoff hope alive going into next Friday's regular-season finales. Gatesville needs only a win at China Spring to secure a playoff berth and even a loss with some other doings could also send the Hornets into the postseason. Friday's game was actually a game of two halves - the first one low-scoring and defensive-minded, the final one about offense and big plays. Robinson took a 7-0 advantage on its first possession and held that lead until seconds before halftime. Hornet quarterback Jeff Speer, who had a monster night with 292 yards offense, scored on a 3-yard keeper to tie with game just 34 seconds before intermission. The scoring pace picked up in the first three minutes after halftime. Matthew Bell returned a Robinson fumble 42 yards for a score, and Speer dashed 39 yards for a score after RHS had tied it again to give his team a 21-14 lead just four minutes into the third quarter. Robinson closed the gap to 21-20 as the period ended, then the Rockets went ahead 28-21 five plays into the final quarter. It would be the visitors last trip to the end zone. Speer (24-159 rushing, 9-of-17 passing for 133 yards) capped a quick 66-yard scoring march with a 31-yard run to tie the game at 28-28 with 8:58 remaining. After an exchange of possessions, GHS got the ball one last time at its own three yard line with less than two minutes remaining. Runs by Speer and Kael Byrom (5-37 rushing), and Speer pass completions to Andrew Wallace (3-76 receiving) moved the ball well into Rocket territory. The Hornets were actually trying to line up a perfect spot for a field goal try, but Alex Thompson (9-26 rushing) broke loose on a 8-yard run to seal the win with just 0:16 showing on the clock. Gatesville, behind some outstanding work from its offensive line, amassed 22 first downs and 414 yards offense. The Hornet defense was led by Nick Gibson (9 tackles), Sam Jackson (9), Cooper Edmiston (8) and Addison Santulan (6).